"Bitter Pill To Swallow".......


An unwanted or unpleasant situation that someone is forced to accept; an unpleasant fact that one must accept.

I remember as a small child thinking this meant literally and wondering how such a small thing as a strand of straw could take down such a big animal..

"Chew The Rag / Fat




Chat in a leisurely way, especially at length.

"A Black Eye"........



A mark of shame, a humiliating setback; a moral blemish; an injury to the prestige of someone's or something's reputation.

"Off-Kilter".............



Out of equilibrium; not straight, level, or aligned properly; in a state of confusion or chaos.

"All's Well That Ends Well"........



Used to say that a person can forget about how unpleasant or difficult something was because everything ended in a good way. A positive ending can overshadow any problems that may have preceded.

We say chewing the fat in these parts.

I think in the Midwest we used chew the fat as well.


Sidebar: I've heard that "chew the rag" came from black-powder rifle days when men sat around talking as they chewed the rags used for wadding a ball into the rifle. The material needed to be softened and lubricated to make starting the ball easier. I have no clue if this is true or not...

"Well If The Shoe Fits"..........



You say if the shoe fits when you are telling someone that unpleasant remarks which have been made about them are probably true or fair. An unflattering (typically negative) remark aimed at a particular individual.

"Keep Your Friends Close, And Your Enemies Even Closer"...



By keeping one's enemies closer, one can be on one's toes and alerted to and ward off any malicious deeds, behaviors, or actions they may try to cause.

"Back In The Saddle"



Resuming something after an absence. Despite the presence of "saddle," this phrase is rarely used in reference to riding horses.

"Given Your Walking Papers"


"Means you've been told you can leave somewhere or you've been told that you are fired from your job.A partner can also use this idiom indicating the relationship is over.

"Watch Like A Hawk".......


To watch someone or something very closely. To watch someone or something very carefully.

Hawks, like all birds of prey, are known for having extremely acute vision.

"A Stitch In Time Saves Nine"


Take your time when doing something.

“Don’t Let Your Mouth Write Checks Your Body Can’t Cash”


The saying means that one shouldn’t run one’s mouth without knowing for sure they can back up what it's claiming.

"Left Out In The Cold"...........




To be forgotten, or excluded, as from a group, activity, benefit, etc; being ignored.

"Like A Bull In A China Shop"........


One who is aggressive and clumsy in a situation that requires delicacy and care; behaving recklessly and clumsily in a place where one is likely to cause damage or injury.

"Charity Begins At Home".....



You should take care of family and people close to you before you worry about helping strangers.

"Living High Off The Hog"...


To prosper or otherwise live very well; to live well and eat good food


Sidebar: It refered to the rich being able to afford the choicest cut of meat, which, from a pig, is higher up on the animal. This term comes from the practice of the choicest cuts for ham and bacon being taken from high up on the pig’s side. It originated in the American South in the nineteenth century and became extremely common in the mid-twentieth century.

"Fight Fire With Fire"...........


Use against your opponent the same methods he or she has used against you; retaliate with the same methods that one has had to endure.
Combat an evil or negative circumstances by reacting in kind.